Former CC hockey assistant Eric Rud headed back to St. Cloud State

Former Colorado College men’s assistant Eric Rud will be introduced as the new St. Cloud State women’s hockey coach at a press conference on Thursday, the school announced Tuesday morning.
“I am thrilled to be the next head coach for the St. Cloud State women’s hockey program,” Rud said. “To...

“I am thrilled to be the next head coach for the St. Cloud State women’s hockey program,” Rud said. “To coach in the WCHA against some of the top programs and coaches in the country is an exciting opportunity.

“I look forward to meeting our current players and incoming recruits as we get ready for the start of the upcoming season,” he added. “In addition, our family is very excited to be rejoining the St Cloud community and will enjoy reconnecting with some great people in the area.”

Rud was a candidate for the CC’s head coach position which went to Mike Haviland about two weeks ago.

Current assistant Joe Bonnett was a candidate for the CC job. He is not available for comment. Haviland said the assistant coach search is ongoing.

A former assistant at SCSU from 2005 to 2010, Rud served as an assistant men’s hockey coach at his alma mater, CC, since 2011. Rud also was the head coach and general manager of the U.S. Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers for the 2010-11 season.

“Eric brings extensive hockey knowledge as well as incredible commitment to student-athlete development and support,” Huskies athletic director Heather Weems said. “He has a strong understanding of both recruiting and continuing skill development, which are important to the future of our program.

“I am confident our young women will find in Eric a wonderful mentor, and that our program will regain competitive success under his leadership,” she added. “It is also rewarding to welcome his family back to St. Cloud, where they enjoyed being a part of the community.”

Rud is the fourth coach in the history of the program, which began in 1998 and joined the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 1999. Last season, the Huskies were 4-27-5 and 3-21-4 in league play.

The Inver Grove Heights, Minn. native and his wife Amy have three children Sam, Gabbie and Max.